Consultancy for Monitoring and Implementation Support for Institutional Strengthening of Community Rangeland Governance Structures Under the TWENDE Senior level NEW

Terms of reference for IUCN Consultancy

Title: Consultancy for Monitoring and Implementation Support for Institutional Strengthening of Community Rangeland Governance Structures Under the TWENDE

Objective of the Consultancy

This consultancy has the following objective(s):

Specific Objectives

The consultancy shall pursue the following specific objectives:

1. Assess the functionality and effectiveness of community rangeland governance institutions established under TWENDE and their contribution to improved resource management, sustainable grazing management, reduced livestock pressure on rangelands, restoration of degraded landscapes and reduced natural resource conflicts.
2. Identify opportunities for integrating existing community rangeland governance structures into relevant county governance structures and systems, with a view to strengthening their institutional recognition, continuity and sustainability beyond the project period.
3. Identify opportunities for ensuring that priorities emerging from community rangeland and restoration plans are reflected in county planning and budgeting processes, including relevant Annual Development Plans (ADPs), pre-County Integrated Development Plans (pre-CIDPs) and other appropriate county planning instruments and processes.
4. Assess the key barriers to pastoralists’ access to and use of climate information and identify innovative opportunities for improving accessibility and uptake, including through digital delivery mechanisms.
5. Identify strategic opportunities for policy influencing within the next 12 months, with particular emphasis on integrating TWENDE-generated community plans, evidence and lessons into relevant county and national policies, strategies and planning processes related to rangeland governance, restoration and drought resilience.
6. Document the actual and/or expected impact of governance interventions on resource management and conflict reduction, capturing evidence of change as well as plausible expected impacts where measurable outcomes are not yet fully realised.
7. Provide prioritised recommendations and strategic actions that can be pursued during the remaining project period to strengthen the impact, institutionalisation and sustainability of TWENDE investments.

Background and about the project

Project Reference: P02886

Donor Reference:N/A

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.

Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 15,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.

IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples’ organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.

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About the Project

The IUCN Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) implements the Towards Ending Drought Emergencies (TWENDE): Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Rangelands Project, a five-year initiative supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The project contributes to Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Ending Drought Emergencies (EDE) strategy by strengthening the resilience of ecosystems, livelihoods and communities to climate change across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

The project is implemented across the Sabarwawa, Mid Tana and Chyulu Hills landscapes, covering eleven (11) counties. These landscapes face increasing climate variability, recurrent drought, land degradation, weak natural resource governance, resource-use conflicts and limited investment in sustainable rangeland management. To address these challenges, TWENDE is implemented through three complementary components:

• Component 1: Climate Change Adapted Planning for Drought Resilience.
• Component 2: Restoration of Rangeland Landscapes for Ecosystem-based Adaptation.
• Component 3: Climate-resilient Ecosystem Management Investments.

IUCN serves as the GCF Accredited Entity, working in partnership with the Government of Kenya and Conservation International (CI). The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the State Department for Livestock Development (SDLD) and Conservation International are the Executing Entities for Components 1, 2 and 3, respectively.

Through TWENDE project, significant investments have been made in community-based rangeland governance, participatory rangeland and restoration planning, ecosystem restoration and climate-resilient natural resource management across the target landscapes. These investments have included strengthening community governance structures, supporting rangeland and restoration planning, and strengthening linkages between community institutions and relevant government structures.

Description of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide strategic technical and analytical support to NDMA to strengthen the effectiveness, institutional sustainability and policy uptake of TWENDE investments in community rangeland governance and drought resilience.

Rationale

TWENDE has made significant investments in strengthening community-based rangeland governance through the establishment and strengthening of grazing committees, peace committees and other community governance mechanisms, alongside the development of community rangeland and restoration plans. As the project progresses towards completion, there is a need to assess the extent to which these investments are contributing to improved rangeland governance, sustainable resource management, restoration, drought resilience and conflict reduction.

The assignment will generate evidence on the functionality, effectiveness and outcomes of community rangeland governance structures and examine the institutional conditions influencing their continuity, integration and sustainability within relevant county governance systems. It will also assess opportunities to strengthen the integration of community rangeland and restoration priorities into county planning and budgeting processes.

In addition, the assignment will assess access to and utilisation of climate information among pastoral communities and identify opportunities to strengthen its relevance, accessibility and uptake for rangeland management and drought resilience. It will further examine strategic policy windows and institutional entry points for strengthening the uptake of TWENDE-generated evidence, community plans, lessons and governance approaches within relevant county and national policy, planning and institutional processes.

Scope of the assignment

The key areas of focus will include:

6.1 Community rangeland governance: functionality, effectiveness and impact

Assessment of the functionality and effectiveness of community rangeland governance structures established or strengthened under TWENDE, including their institutional arrangements, roles, decision-making processes and linkages with relevant actors.

The assessment will examine their contribution to sustainable resource management, grazing management, rangeland restoration, drought resilience and prevention and management of natural resource-related conflicts. It will also examine evidence of actual, emerging and expected outcomes and the factors influencing the effectiveness and sustainability of these governance interventions.

6.2 Institutional integration and sustainability of community governance

Analysis of the institutional linkages between community rangeland governance structures and relevant county governance systems and institutional arrangements.

The focus will include institutional recognition, coordination, linkages with relevant county structures and the conditions influencing continuity and sustainability of community governance arrangements beyond the project period.

6.3 Community priorities in county planning and budgeting

Analysis of the extent to which priorities emerging from community rangeland and restoration plans are reflected in, and can inform, county planning and budgeting processes.

The scope will include relevant Annual Development Plans (ADPs), pre-County Integrated Development Plans (pre-CIDPs) and other applicable county planning and resource allocation processes, with attention to institutional entry points and opportunities for strengthening the linkage between community priorities, county programmes and resource allocation over the next 12 months.

6.4 Access to and use of Climate information

Assessment of pastoralists’ access to, understanding and utilisation of climate information relevant to livestock mobility, grazing management, drought preparedness and natural resource use.

The scope will cover factors affecting accessibility, relevance, timeliness and uptake of climate information, as well as existing and potential delivery mechanisms, including digital approaches, that are relevant to pastoral communities.

6.5 Policy influence and institutional uptake

Analysis of relevant county and national policy, strategy and planning processes and the opportunities for uptake of TWENDE-generated evidence, community plans, lessons and governance approaches.

The scope will focus on policy and institutional opportunities relevant to rangeland governance, restoration and drought resilience, particularly those that can be pursued within the next 12 months, including relevant policy windows, institutional entry points and stakeholder interfaces.

6.6 Governance impact and learning

Synthesis of evidence on the actual, emerging and expected impacts of TWENDE-supported governance interventions on resource management and conflict reduction.

The scope will include documentation of evidence of change, implementation experience, emerging outcomes and plausible pathways through which governance interventions contribute to improved resource management and conflict reduction. A concise two-page impact story titled “The impact of governance interventions on resource management and conflict reduction” will be developed as part of the assignment.

Methodology and technical approach

The consultant shall propose an appropriate methodology and approach for delivering the assignment based on the strategic issues and expected results outlined in this ToR. The proposed approach should demonstrate how the consultant will generate credible evidence, undertake appropriate analysis and translate findings into practical and prioritised recommendations. The consultant shall determine the appropriate methods, tools, sources of evidence and stakeholder engagement processes required to deliver the assignment.

Duration of the Assignment

The consultancy shall be undertaken over a period of 45days. The assignment will involve targeted field missions, stakeholder consultations, analysis, technical advisory support and validation of findings. The consultant shall submit a detailed work plan and implementation schedule as part of the Inception Report.

Deliverables

The consultant will provide the following deliverables and carry out the following activities:

9/10/2026

Inception report

Setting out the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, proposed approach, work plan and expected outputs.

28/10/2026

Community rangeland governance effectiveness and outcomes assessment report

Presenting findings on the functionality, effectiveness and contribution of community rangeland governance structures to resource management, sustainable grazing, restoration and conflict reduction.

Two-page impact story: The impact of governance interventions on resource management and conflict reduction

A concise, evidence-based two-page impact story capturing the actual and/or expected impact of governance interventions supported under TWENDE on resource management and conflict reduction. Where measurable impacts have already occurred, these should be documented; where impacts are still emerging, the story should clearly articulate the expected impact and the evidence supporting it.

Climate information access and innovation report

Presenting key findings on barriers to access and use of climate information and recommendations for innovative delivery approaches.

4/11/2026

County institutional integration and planning/budgeting analysis

Identifying opportunities for integrating community rangeland governance structures into relevant county systems and strengthening the uptake of community and restoration priorities in county planning and budgeting processes, including ADPs, pre-CIDPs and other relevant instruments.

12-month policy influencing and uptake strategy

Identifying priority policy opportunities, policy windows, relevant institutional processes and strategic actions for influencing county and national policies, strategies and planning processes during the next 12 months.

Strategic recommendations and action plan

Providing prioritised actions for addressing the key issues identified during the assignment, with emphasis on actions that can realistically be pursued during the remaining project period.

10/11/2026

Final consultancy report

Consolidating the key findings, conclusions, strategic recommendations and priority actions from the assignment.

Payment Schedule

The Timetable below summarises the chronological order of deliverables and indicates milestones at which IUCN will pay the Consultant.

Inception report-20%

30%

Community rangeland governance effectiveness and outcomes assessment report-30%

Two-page impact story: The impact of governance interventions on resource management and conflict reduction

Climate information access and innovation report

30%

County institutional integration and planning/budgeting analysis

12-month policy influencing and uptake strategy

Strategic recommendations and action plan

20%

Final consultancy report

Skills and Experience

Team Composition and Qualifications

The assignment may be undertaken by an individual consultant or consulting firm with a qualified Team Leader and relevant technical specialists, as necessary.

The consultant/team should possess:

• A master’s degree or higher in Rangeland Management, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Governance, Climate Change, Development Studies, Pastoralism, Rural Development, Policy or a related field.
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in rangeland governance, community-based natural resource management, pastoral development, climate resilience or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience in assessing community institutions, governance systems and institutional performance.
• Demonstrated experience in pastoral and ASAL contexts in Kenya.
• Experience in climate information services, climate risk communication or climate information dissemination would be an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis, policy influencing and institutional engagement at county and/or national level.
• Strong analytical, stakeholder engagement, facilitation and report-writing skills.
• Good knowledge of Kenya’s rangeland governance, drought resilience and county governance frameworks.

Supervision and Coordination

The consultant will report to the TWENDE Chief of Party and work closely with NDMA and relevant IUCN/TWENDE technical teams. Given the strategic nature of the assignment, the consultant will maintain close engagement with NDMA throughout the assignment to ensure that findings and recommendations respond to priority technical needs and complement ongoing NDMA interventions. All reports shall be submitted in both editable (Word, Excel) and PDF formats.

All deliverables shall be submitted to IUCN for review and approval.

Tagged as: International Union for Conservation of Nature, Kenya